Not so long ago, there lived a man completely dissatisfied with his life. He felt he had too much to do and too little time for it. The man stuck a pact with the devil. The devil would do all that he wanted. But, if the devil was ever out of job, it would eat him up. He told the devil all the work that he wanted done. He went back home happy and stretched his leg, congratulating him on his intelligence. He would get so much work done and all for free! He was cocksure that the work he had given would keep the devil occupied for a few months. Hardly had a few minutes passed when the devil came running to him. “ I am done master. I now want something else to do.” The man was at his wits end. He thought for a few minutes and asked the devil to complete a few tasks for his neighbours.

They were really small ones. He had underestimated the devil and he knew the devil would come knocking any instant. He tasted death. He decided to go bid his wife good bye. He held her in a vice like grip and she asked him what the matter was. When he explained, she saw the fear in his eyes and understood that he would never stray again. She told him to make her the master of the devil. The husband, stunned by her loyalty, agreed. When the devil came, she took it aside and told it to try and straighten the dog’s tail. The devil tried for a very long time and has not succeeded till date.

Moral of the story:You can never satisfy the devilToo much of work is actually an illusion for overactive imagination. :D

Thursday, November 26, 2009

So many times, so many things are left unspoken for reasons known and unknown. I was thinking about a lot of unspoken words today and realised that they haunt me more than all that i have ever said. Be it words of love, anger, joy or sorrow, the unspoken end up being your baggage for life. Is it ever too late to say something? Is it ever too late to apologise? Is it ever too late to express discontent? Is it ever too late to profess love? I really wonder.

There are instances when something disturbs me, but I am not able to find out what it is. It could be because my mind is completely exhausted or it could be because i do not want to accept the reason though it is right there in front of me. But it is moments like these that somehow enter my head to never leave. They come back one fine day and i reach a breaking point lashing out on some unsuspecting individual or in all probability on myself.

There are moments too precious which i hold dear in my heart. However, I have to admit, that i seldom tell it to the person/people who made it special. For all the noise i make, I realize, I am at a loss for words when I am surrounded by a love I don't trust myself capable of returning and also, when I am accepted for who I am. I wish my vocabulary improves. I wish, I at least retain these memories and that they have the power to sustain me when i most need it.

There are a few lovely individuals whom i have come across in the long path i took to the present. I am hardly in touch with most of them. I wish I can do something to set right all the wrongs. I know that sometimes it is too late. I also know that sometimes, all it takes is a phone call. I want courage to do what is right and to follow my heart.

I wish I speak the unspoken and ensure i never make the same mistake twice if i get a second chance. I hope that it never comes to me henceforth to wish for a second chance. Life, is really too precious.

I have never watched too many English movies. There was a point in time not too long ago when i did not know majority of the Hollywood big wigs. I referred to Morgan Freeman as the Shawshank Redemption guy. Now thanks to the current company i keep, I know a lot of names. I came home exhausted today and chanced upon a Julia Roberts movie,"Mona Lisa Smile." I liked it a lot and I have to admit that i was sad that i could not watch the entire movie. I think I will just download it. I felt, it was powerful and beautiful.

I watched "The hunting party" after this. Richard Gere had done a really good job as a journalist who had fallen from his pedestal. I guess the credit should go to the person who created the character. I liked a lot of dialogues in the movie. The story line is very simple. A young journalist(who is the son of the VP of a famous television network), a seasoned cameraman and a discredited war correspondent embark on an unauthorized mission to find the no. 1 war criminal in Bosnia. As i mentioned earlier, there are a few story lines I do not want to divulge. Just rest assured i enjoyed the movie and wished i got to watch something like this more often.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

In this post, i intended to be a little brutally frank. I did not want people to get offended by the tone. However, Varun got so irritated that I realised that I might be in bigger trouble if someone who is not as mature reads it. Once I am famous, when i speak of such things it would be a controversy. Right now, It would only seem like i am on a vendetta. So, find below an edited verion. For those that are ready to read something more brutal, please contact me.

Earlier, it was difficult for a woman to aspire for a great job and still, a lot of women did and showed that they could. It was also difficult to justify getting a good education. They needed someone at home to run a lot of chores and things were a lot more difficult. (Paying electricity bill for one. Or even making batter for dosa. Not too many people had a mixie or a grinder) Technology has helped us in making things far more easier. Nowadays, with so much of jobs milling around and with opportunity knocking all around a person, i dont understand why educated and well qualified women want to get married and sit at home, rather than work.

Is it because they want to take care of the children? I am not against home makers. I really feel that the kid needs its parents. I said parents. Not mom. But then, how much does your child really need you to be there 24*7? (Do you intend to do something like get a degree after a wedding or start trading in stocks? Or pursue some interest in your spare time? I am not making fun of people like you here.) I am an extremely romantic person (Difficult to believe. But true. Just that men fail my criteria. Right guy hasnt come along) and right now, I never want to place myself in a position of dependency on anyone. I want everyone to contribute equally to the family. I want men to do household chores as well and I want to contribute to the bank balance in our joint account each month. I will also have one in my name!

I agree, working has a lot of disadvantages. You are exposed to a lot of pressure and sometimes it gets so bugging that you want to run away from everything and just sleep in a dark corner. However, i think i prefer this stage to sitting and doing nothing at home. I feel independent and I know for sure I can take care of myself without anyone's help. What are you doing to better yourself? I dont know why women who have the chance and who are given all the freedom to do things still dont make use of it. (I am not talking about women with babies. Yes, the kids do need you for sometime.) With people like this reservation for women, would not make too much of a difference. We would keep putting ourselves down.

A lot of people say that me and a few of my friends are too career oriented. I would just like to say that we know when to strike a balance.(Rama, I really admire you for that. Have i told it before?) We wouldnt throw up our family to pursue some rosy dream and we wouldn't throw up our career to sit at home and do nothing. We are contributors.

One of the reasons I dont like the so called smart educated girls is because, them throwing their career to the winds is sometimes, looked at like an example for us to follow. They are looked at like martyrs for the noble cause of betterment of humanity. I just hate it. Preethi says that this anger is injurious to me. Anyway, I have a lot of anger in me and I do intend to express it in a forum where my opinions will be aired even if not appreciated.I agree it is their choice. I am expressing their opinion. They are free to express theirs.

I want to reiterate the fact that I am not against marriage. I am all for having a family. But i want one where men and women contribute equally and not just the gold a woman has is looked at as an asset. I dedicate this post to my mom who has made me who I am and who has worked for as long as I can remember against all odds.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Well, it all started one fine day when she called us to her room to proclaim her choice. It was almost 2 years ago. I was so shocked at that time and it took me a long while to digest the information. Now, the day dawned when her wedding was drawing near and I knew that I had to be there for her that one day for sure.

Like minded idiots (Preets and Sova) joined me in this journey to Salem from Bangalore. This weekend will always stand out in my memory because of how peaceful it was.The trip from Bangalore to Salem was so beautiful! The wide roads, the local bus which despite its bumps did not damage us too much and of course the food we got as soon as reached.

The girl looked divine! She was always a very mature, level headed person (who incidentally tolerated a lot of my tantrums) but that day, there was a glow that wasnt there before. I guess this is what people mean by joy radiating out of one's soul. She patiently went through all the various procedures and what stood out was the evident fact that she was enjoying every second of it. All the various make ups, the change of dress, the million miniscule ceremonies the bride has to do. I have never seen someone so completely happy. I have to admit, i did feel jealous for the utter joy i saw there. She had found the man of her dreams and she, had succeeded in making him hers. I really have to applaud her for it.

We, (the supposed friends of the bride) were sitting and doing what we always did best. Gossiping! It was major fun guessing, checking and wondering what was going on. This was on Saturday, the day of the reception. Saturday night, we headed out to the hotel room that was reserved for us and after chatting for ages about everything we could think of (well, i did not plan to highlight the fact that data kept screaming to everybody in general to shut me up) we happily went to sleep at 12.30.

I really marvel the way people arrange weddings. One has to think of so much! The dresses for one, then the list of people to invite, the ones you can safely mail a card, the ones that would get offended if you did not go invite them in person, accomodation for all those from different parts of the world, then of course getting a few days off from work without too much trouble. Phew! I dread to even think about it.

I would love to remain single all my life. However, i know that someday I would have to get married and begin the life as a responsible adult (er, i always was responsible. Still, i dont know what else will be the difference marriage will bring to my life) and seeing Rama, I wish i would have be as happy as she was on her wedding day.The day of the wedding, we rushed to the wedding hall at 6.30. She was completely surrounded by relatives so we couldn't see too much of what was happening on stage and once the ceremony was done, we hogged like crazy and set off to bang after another photo shoot. We literally barged into the stage and forced the bride and the groom to divert their attention to a gang of 6 mad girls and take a picture with them. All the relatives waiting were ignored until we got a satisfactory snap. (I was too shy, yes, shy to get on stage. It was Balli who paved the way by rushing ahead and happily posing. We had to follow suit)

How could I forget our photo shoot which made everyone around stare at us like we were a bunch of idiots?(I claim we got the attention because the concept of young independent women is new in India. Data says it was because of the ruckus we were creating in the wedding) We were posing all over the garden outside and clicking like crazy

The journey back was peaceful but long. It set me thinking about a lot of things about life and wondering as to where i saw myself and why a few years down the lane. I also spent a lot of time talking to Sowmya after ages. The only discordant note was the lack of sleep. But i guess it was worth it.I slept like a log last night. I always thought that the Indian wedding is such a tedious and expensive affair. I personally want a register marriage and get it done with. But then, I dont know how successful i am going to be in implementing this whim of mine. The wedding day is our only chance to be hero/heroine and so a lot of us dont mind doing so many things for it. It is also so much fun because it gives everyone a chance to meet up.

This was the first wedding i attended whole-heartedly as an adult. I saw a lot of things i had never noticed before and it was one experience i would never forget. Earlier, the people in the background doing all the work were invisible to me. Now, I am sure the next wedding i go, ill pay more attention. Last thing i thought a wedding would do was improve my observation skills. Well, it really did. :)

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Today, one of my favorite friends got married. I guess one of us has finally passed the threshold into adulthood. I wish her all the best and sincerely hope this new phase in her life is full of love, joy and hope. Happy married life Rama! I know i told you in the morning.. Still, I want to immortalise it in the only way i can right now think of. Love you. You are one helluva female.

P.S. A lot more on the trip to come up in sometime. I am too tired to write now.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

I did not want to call this post "A question" again. This is anyway one. A sudden thought that just crossed my mind. Is it really necessary to name everything? Sometimes isnt it obvious once you get to know it? I wonder.. Coming back to the question.. It is this.

Is the not so distant future worth the sacrifice of a beautiful present?

I know a lot of you think the answer is a straightforward "yes". But I am not able to completely convince myself. Am i another impulsive idiot who strives to be different and stand out because it is cool? Or Am I another one of those thinkers whose ideas need a little getting used to? Or is the explanation a simple, "You are yet another young adult who is convinced she is different." ( I know is a combination of some aspects of both the options above)

I have all weekend to ponder. I anyway have a long journey to look forward to.

I am nowadays being called a 'feminist'. I guess a few comments and my general attitude towards life and everything about it gives people the opinion that I am one. But frankly, I dont know if it is right ( I would love to say it is wrong. However, right now i am in a very, "lets put oneself in other's shoes mood". So i would say I dont know instead. Politically right.)

The dictionary says, a feminist is a person who advocates equal rights for women.I on the other hand, advocate equal rights for everyone! The gender shouldn't matter. I dont think the world is fair sometimes. There is a lot of discrimination that occurs. Only sometimes is it gender based. I see a smart people being discriminated against by those that aren't that smart and seriously cannot understand/tolerate the level of intelligence they are seeing in another person. I get angry in these instances.

I see women, making use of the so called weakness of their sex, carefully manipulate men around. This makes me extremely mad. I have sometimes been told that i am extremely judgemental by so called sweet men.. I guess just the adjective sweet is enough for sensible people to understand the relationship to the word manipulated. They feel that women, being the weaker sex, should be treated so. These are the guys that drop girls home, insist on paying the bill everytime they go out with women, ask girls not to come back home late as the neighbors (whom they arent even on talking terms with) might think that they are not nice, feel that it is strange for a girl to propose etc etc..

Let me get it straight.. I dont mind being dropped home. I, infact like it. But i dont want it to be done, just because i am a female. I dont like people being manipulated to it. After all, man or woman, in the current scenario, a kidney is a kidney. I would be killed for it than anything else. So it shouldn't matter. I would like to be dropped home as an individual and not as a helpless female.. Am i a feminist? Am I not an individualist?

I really do not understand why people do not stand up for themselves. I, for one, keep doing that. (It is a different issue that sometimes I blow my top for really silly issues. That doesn't change the fact that otherwise, I stand up for myself) Does this make me a feminist? Just because i happen to be a woman who stands up for herself?

I do not place too much of value on the shoddy romantic stories written by young and old alike, with over active hormones. I feel it kills the romance in a person. This doesn't mean I am against the idea of love. I am just against sensationalizing it beyond a certain extent. Men like action books and stereotypical women, romances.. This is the generalization. I like neither. I like mysteries. Are there others like me out there being branded feminists too? I really wonder.

The problem with the world in general is that we so love to type cast things and people into different groups, subgroups and definitely cannot rest until the grouping is succesfully done. (For those that dont fit, there is an outlier group right?) I often hope that we stop doing that. While structure is necessary to a certain extent, trying to create segments too often and for everything does not make anybody happy at the end of the day. Maybe a few of us might harbor an illusion of happiness once we are settled comfortably into a group we like or once we start liking the group we have been fitted into. But that happiness does not last too long as after some time, we find we are different from the new entities in the group and want to reclassify ourselves.

I am for a world order of individualism where every human being is valued for what he is and not grouped and regrouped time and again.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Everything in the world, comes with one. The funniest part is that human beings fail to understand this sometimes. We forget that our own lives have an expiry date. We are too busy trying to adjust with other people, uncomfortable instances and of course with everything possible under the sun that we forget to enjoy the day hoping for something better later.

Things that have a earlier than indicated expiry date are my current nightmare. I never thought that the camera would start throwing a tantrum once its one year warranty period was over. :( I imagined an expiry date in a far flung future.

There are some ideas of mine, whose creation and expiry dates match. I am trying to dust them up from a distant corner of my imaginative mind and give them a form. I do not want them to die so early. However, the difficulty i face in giving them a form sometimes forces me to just throw them back into a darker corner. I do not want to be misunderstood. I wait for a while..

Relationships that have a short shelf life scare me a lot. You never realize when the blow is going to fall. As long as the expiry is slow and gradual, it doesn't hurt anybody. Sometimes, it isn't and then, you are left behind busy playing the blame game.

I wonder now if my memories come with an expiry date. Every thing i currently hold dear would be replaced with something far more precious. But then, Am i justified in comparing a dead past with a non existent future? I dont know. I feel the mind is like a deep hole. You push things in as you put stuff on top of them.

The robotic arm is triggered at times by things you do not know and then the flood gates open unleashing beautiful/ugly incidents and all those angels and demons you had kept safely inside. Unless you are strong enough, you will be washed away and there wouldnt be too much of you left to enjoy.. For memories are dangerous.. in more ways than one. Thank god for expiry dates.

Monday, November 16, 2009

I am today stuck with a very interesting question. A thought process rather of which i see points in favor of both the sides of the argument. Is it always necessary to look ahead and plan for the future? Let me try to organise this blog. Atleast make it a little clearer than my usual ones

First in favor..

Before taking any decision, you look into the future and wonder how you are going to be placed by doing what you do, 15 years from now, with the assumption that, apart from the decision and its side effects, nothing else is going to change. You spend a few days contemplating and see if it is worth the trouble. If it is not, you simply choose not to do it. No matter how bad you feel because of the high probability you have attached to the failure of the event.

Now, my argument to the contrary

The future is something that is too distant. When things change in a matter of seconds, what is the point in looking at something that might be a few years later? Even a 90% probability can be reduced to 20% overnight due to some unexpected external change. For all you know, you might die sometime next month, hit by a speeding car. At that point, what is it that you are going to think about? The immediate regret? Or the satisfaction that the future you will never see was well planned for?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The song was playing in the background and she smiled.Thinking about him. She wondered how everyone felt that such lyrics were tailor made for them and thought it was special. She hadnt told him how she felt yet. There was time. He called her a good friend and told her it was fun talking to her. That was yesterday. Hmmm. Finally the pig headed idiot accepts something. A slow grin crept in and she brushed it away.

Jana tum se tha jo roshan mera pyar pe yakeen

A few more words. She opened the book. It was a gift from him. They had gone out for a ride and stumbled across a quaint bookshop in the middle of nowhere. He had immediately ventured in to explore the place. It had a wide collection and he chose her favorite author.. Signed the front page and thrust it into her hands.

Kyun koi paas haiDoor hai Kyun koiJaane Na koi yahan pe

She did not know how she fell in love or for that matter why. Before he had come in, she had everything she possibly could want. (of course the usual issues existed. But then nobody can have a perfect life). After meeting him, the cliched movie line was all she could think of. Watching the Runaway bride had had its effects. "I know what i wont have if i let you go away.." She controlled herself from telling these lines oh! So many times. It was not the time. But she knew that he knew. After all, doesn't every man who receives such a flattering attention do?

You're the only one I ever believed inThe answer that could never be found

He was there everywhere. In every thought.. A dream that was now a reality..She was woken up from her thoughts by the phone ringing. The special ring tone for a special someone. "Hi! Are you busy?" He asked her. "Never for you" The words almost came out. Self control was what she was best at. But the unsaid words created an atmosphere of mystery. "Not exactly. I was just working on a presentation for office." His apologetic smile wafted through the telecommunication lines.. "How well i know him" She thought to herself.

Take my hand now We'll run forever I can feel the storm inside you I'll stay with you

Then it came, like the bolt of lightning on the unsuspecting man taking refuge under the oak tree. "I want to tell Anitha how i feel about her. I mean, I am at a loss. It is high time. You are the only person I have to talk to. My best buddy.. Tell me, do you think I am old enough for this?" She was speechless. She felt she should be loyal to the trust he had placed on her and told him that he was old enough to take decisions about his life. It was fine. She would help him convince his parents after she agreed. She kept the phone down. The whole world was in pieces. Her world that is. To the rest, it would not matter.

And you cant fight the tears that ain't coming, Or the moment of the truth in your lies.

It was all a lie. The beautiful dream she had created for them. Maybe, he never understood. She opened her computer. The screen mocked her. The wallpaper was a picture of the two of them with a beautiful background. She looked at it objectively. Them together. Distancing herself from her emotions, she let cool logic take its place.. Just them as a mass of cells and a bundle of nerves..

Its such a crazy old town, it can bring you downTill you run out of dreams

Yes. That was what had happened. She had run out of dreams after getting all that she had ever wanted. Lack of imagination, lack of an inspiration and loneliness together had ultimately succeeded and brought about the image of love in front of her eyes. A very tempting one that helped her cope with life..

Its only words and words are all I have to take your heart away

She was thinking..Words weren't enough! She looked at his picture again..Were these the same hands she had so badly wanted to be held in? They looked wrinkled.. Were these the same eyes she had dreamt of staring into? They looked so lifeless.. The smile! What had she found breath taking about it? It was as if there was a downpour and her carefully painted work of art had taken the hit.. Or maybe, it was just a simple case of a few hormones over reacting . A wretched existence.. her heart broken lost self wanted to brand hers just that. But she realized, she could never do that. She was really blessed with intelligence, wealth and affection from places that mattered.

i'm not a perfect person. there are many things i wish i didnt dobut i continue learning. i never meant to do those things to you.

Well, her system did not play the right song now. Or maybe it was. She had to apologize to herself for putting herself through all this. Forgive thyself.. Hadn't they told that in school?She glanced at the new wall paper she had put in. It was that of day break.. An image she had captured on one of her long walks contemplating life. She had thought then, in her philosophical mode, that, for every day the sun sets, another beautiful day dawns. It was always just a matter of time.

My shadow's the only one that walks beside meMy shallow heart's the only thing that's beatingSometimes I wish someone out there will find me'Til then I walk alone

Well, she wasnt too sure if she wanted to be found though. :)

P.S. I have written this story based on the lyrics of few of my favorite songs. I wanted it to be funny.Unfortunately, it ended up being serious. The story of someone who has a high self esteem and self respect.. It is not a tragedy. It is about new beginnings.

The plot is age old but really well taken. Boy meets girl by accident,boy falls in love, girl doesn't realise till late.. That is the end of the story. Sounds boring? But it isnt! I had amazing fun. I was just trying to recover from yet another bout of self imposed depression that all boring adults who have too much time bring upon themselves. believe me.. this movie made me sit up and laugh. There were definitely a few boring bits, for as they say, nothing is perfect..It dint prevent me from loving the movie though.Ranbir! Thats all i remember after the movie! He was so awesome! He has a brilliant comic timing. I liked him in Wake up Sid.. In this movie, he literally shines! Katrina is as beautiful as ever and I loved her broken Hindi. :) The chemistry between the two on stage, literally gets to one.For all those extremely logical human beings out there, a piece of advice ( I know thats all i keep giving for free) dont watch this movie. Forget logic and have a fun filled three hours watching a logic deficient celluloid reel.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

How do you answer someone who asks you whats up? Sometimes i give silly and time tested oh its boring answers like "the sky". Sometimes, I say, "Nothing much". But everytime, someone whom i dont usually spend a lot of time talking to asks me this question, I wonder.. Is the elaborate truth the answer they really seek? Or is it just a formal question? I know it is the latter. We are all so caught up in our own speeding private galaxies that none of us have the patience to slow down and ask and listen. I guess it is because of the fear that our galaxies would then have to go on a different course. Also the fear of having to listen to something you dont want to. There is no time is the easiest escape route. Imagine a primitive man going hunting. You really think he would have stopped to ask such meaningless questions? If someone started a yarn, he'd have just hit him on the head with a club and gone ahead. Or if he'd really liked the person starting the yarn, helped him hit the guy who was the source of trouble. :D

I envy the primitive man at times. He could just let go of himself and express his anger, disgust, joy and sorrow. Us, we cannot do that even to the ones we hold dear. Why am I even talking about the dear ones? Even to our own selves. We are far more content sitting and suppressing our emotions and thinking it is the civilised thing to do. So much so that it comes out one fine day and you have no idea why it came to be in the first place.

I hate the controlled, repressed emotions. One should just let them be. As i was saying yesterday, find a positive outlet. I discovered it was writing. I wish everyone does. When I pen my thoughts down, I find a relief that is far greater than anything I have ever experienced. I feel there is a silent universe willing to accept me. I accept myself..

I dedicate this post to all those that encourage me writing. Especially to my mom who is the sole recipient of my temper tantrums. With her, I always act like a primitive human being.

P.S. The title of the post reflects the meaninglessness or the meaningfulness of this post. It is a case by case basis.. the title and the relation to the content.

What is the image that crops up in your mind when see/hear or read this word? That of soldiers poised in an unknown border waiting for the unseen enemy? That of a person fending off an attacker? I am not able to think of any other common answer.To me, courage is beautifully showcased by the struggle each human being faces when greeted by change. It is not taking the right decision that matters.What ultimately makes the difference is sticking to it.How many of us have that courage? Many fail in the first step and of the few who take the right path, a lot fail later. I am wondering today if I have the courage it takes to decide and live with my decisions. I hope I do.

Friday, November 13, 2009

I hear this crazy cat wailing its heart out right outside my door. I make no secret of the fact that i hate cats and this one was no exception. Right when i was trying to think, this extremely stupid animal disturbs me. I turned all my anger towards the noise and as much as i tried it did not disappear. Well, for all of you that are laughing at me, I ask you to look at your own life.

For this stupid animal made me realize that a lot of my anger, was directed at things that i really couldn't do too much about. I feel I have done whatever i can about the issue and wash my hands of it, letting the frustration build and later blame everyone for everything possible instead of accepting that the source of all this is my misplaced righteous anger.

I guess I have to do a course in anger management. Time and again I have seen that anger when managed properly is such a tremendous force that brings out the best in a person. Sigh, right now, all i am going to do after giving such gyan is to sit and have a screaming match with the cat. Afterall, trying to become better is extremely time consuming and such a ready source to spout out anger should not be ignored. :D

Love this song. Beautiful feel to it that makes me wake up to life. :)

Shining in the sand in sun like a pearl up on the oceanCome and feel meGirl feel meShining in the shade in sun like a pearl up on the oceanCome and heal meGirl heal meThiking about the love we makingAnd the life we sharingCome and feel meGirl feelShining in the sand in sun like a pearl up on the oceanCome and feel meCom’mon heal me

No, this is not some philosophical ramble where i talk about human beings being imprisoned in a soulless body. This is a review of a movie I saw last week.

I never wanted to watch a serious movie on a weekend. I think there shouldnt be too much of serious stuff as people happen to take everything seriously anyway. But then, I had this insatiable desire to watch a movie in the theatre and the romcoms (rebound and ajab prem) were all sold out. I find Neel Nitin Mukesh cute and so, I ended up dragging my alter ego (the one that cant stand violence) to PVR.

It was a heavy movie. I have to admit that.(Alter ego almost walked out in one scene where the hero gets hit) The director had tried very hard to bring out the complexities in each character and try to make it as real as possible. It is a laudable attempt. I wouldnt say it was completely successful. (I pretend to be high and mighty at times. Let me be) I liked the heroine. She had performed the tiny role she'd had with a very nice poise. She was part of the story. Not an appendage like the usual female leads. Now, I come to the best bit...My hero! He was awesome. That man can emote with his eyes. If I hadnt been such a die hard fan of Shahrukh, I would have given my eternal fan dom to him. Unfortunately, I am taken. Sigh. But his, is definitely the best role. He carries the movie in his strong shoulders. (No. I am NOT drooling)

Manoj Bajpai's character deserves a mention. Infact, in the initial stages of the movie I thought it was a remake of Shawshank Redemption. I was praying it shouldnt be the case as, that is one epic that nobody can recreate. Thankfully, it wasnt. I liked Manoj Bajpai's character in a movie after Zubeidaa ( I wonder how many people have even watched this movie. It is my all time favorite. :D ) He puts up a good show as a fellow prisoner. The relationship that exists between him and the hero is shown without too much of a drama. It is quite convincing to watch it blossom and take firm root. The message that the human spirit need not be tamed no matter what the hardship is beautifully portrayed. I liked the movie!

P.S. I am trying to perfect the art of recounting a story line without revealing the plot. Until I succeed in the same, this blog would have such movie reviews. :D If you want to know the ending, please feel free to mail me, i shall send the updated post I have in the mail. :)

I have recently become extremely addicted to board games. I have been begging, threatening and challenging people to come and play with me. It is quite interesting to wait and watch the progress of a game. Not to mention, time consuming and entertaining.

A friend of mine remarked today that there is nothing too interesting about a game of dice. I, beg to differ. An enlightened soul told me last saturday, "the game life is over.. but real life is about to begin" . But then, isnt life like a board game? I wanted to have a philosophical conversation with him. He, by now used to the tone i adopt for a sermon, escaped from me and started talking to someone else. :)

Coming back to the topic of board games and life, in both you never know what is going to come up next. One moment you think you are on a path which is definitely going to yield rich rewards and the next moment, by some funny twist of fate, you are nowhere near where you wanted to be. One moment you pay a huge fine (lets call an emotional outburst a fine.. i like this example) and the next, you hit jackpot! What you think is going to yield wonderful results does nothing more than get you into trouble and make huge losses (well, loss of a relationship for example?) and what you think is not too lucrative but still do as you have no other option, turns out to be the best thing possible. Life, as i said is extremely funny

And, more unpredictable than a board game. I sometimes wish, I can dissociate myself from the incidents around me and observe like I had nothing to lose. However, as angelic as I may seem, I am after all human and I find the exercise extremely impossible. I only start defending myself. :) But I have realized one thing. It is you that rolls the dice and there is a distinct probability associated for every possible outcome. Maybe, the slight tilt of your hand caused a different number to come up. So, accept life with open arms.. embrace it and be happy. Remember it is all the result of something you did. Accept yourself for who you are. I am trying to. :D

Post dedicated to all poor souls who played board games with me and to those that dint but still did. (I mean, as life is like a board game, anyone i have met in my life, who has done something even if they are unaware of it to change my life. Oh, btw, i think i wont know most of the population in the latter category.) :D

It is darkness and gloom that envelophugging me from all sides in a deathly embraceI squirm trying to move away but i feel the hold tighten takingmy life giving breath awayI sink into the bottomless pit

I stop struggling letting my fate have its wayI close my eyes losing myself in the existing momentsas i prepare myself for eternal slumber

I relive all the glorious dayswhen life was simple and wonderfulI smile at my heart wrenching issuesI fondly embrace the child I wasI happily remember those that made meThe loving hands that held minethrough thick and thinThe faces - some persistent, some temporarypass me by.I greet them all with a gay heartLived I have my life to the fullestGlad i am now to meet my makerFew unfulfilled dreams remainBut their time hadnt comeThe time to wait,I have no longer..A little regret i store away in the corner of my heartand lose myself to the memories

I feel the bright rays of the morning sun on my faceGreeting me cheerfully, welcoming the optimistI open my eyes and see the beauty in meI forget the gloom..It becomes the dark cloudBlown away by the wind of joyI don the cloak of optimismand face the worldWith a smile..

Sunday, November 08, 2009

I am supposed to be working hard on my presentation and questionnaire now.But the eternal shirker in me is refusing to concentrate. I am still licking my lips after the awesome dinner in this place called Saffron. I stumbled upon it by accident. Not too great an ambience. But the food was cheap and good. I really liked the Rajma there. I just hope I dont fall asleep.

Read The Leap by Jonathan Stroud. The title of the book was what attracted me in the first place. I did not regret the choice I made two weeks ago in Blossoms. It was such a different experience. Surreal infact. I am still haunted by the vivid images the writer thrust into my head. His descriptions are so detailed that it is difficult to get out of them even after finishing an Agatha Christie and a William.

I dont know how many people would like the book. But i just loved it. The concept was brilliant. It details the thought process of a young girl who witnesses her friend's death and refuses to accept it. As far as she is concerned, he is in another land and it is her duty to get him back to earth as only she knows he is stuck there. It is very touching and very well written.

Now, I am poised to leap in life. I wonder if I have the determination and the patience to make sure I land in the right spot at the right time. My instinct says I would. So i wait. Patiently. For the right time.

Yesterday, I was watching Princess Diaries for sometime. It happens to be a favorite movie of my sister when she was a kid. Sometimes i wish life was as simple as a chick flick. I love watching such movies for the mere reason that it is uncomplicated. I dont have to worry about living with people who have various shades of grey or trying to survive without losing my individuality and my self respect in a few instances (though minor) that threaten the same. I wish i can happily say, " Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the realization that something is more important than fear." Just say it and not worry about living it which is an entirely different issue altogether.My diary pages are blank. That is because, i have this tendency to spout venom when i am angry and do not write in my diary if i am not happy when i come home. The number and frequency of blank pages has increased over a period of time. Now, not one day goes by when i am not angry. I am trying to look at the brighter side of life. But somehow, continuously falling sick only makes me more irritable. I don't need enemies. I am my own best enemy. At least in a chick flick, you have some completely dark character, the heroine very bravely spreads ice cream on and humiliates. I don't know who is that in my life. :D I dont even know if i am the heroine here. I just wish life was as simple and decisions so easy as wanting to rule a country. I am game for that. Somebody make me a princess. But dont ask me to exist as a normal young adult. Sometimes, It is such a pain.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

She sinks to the bottomfoot firmly planted on ground - rock solidToo late, she looks upto see the pit that has captured her for good.Then she finds the distant lightfull of hope and promiseWords unsaid convey morethan all the words we have ever knownAwakened by the dream,she moves forthmoving up againstthe very gravitythat sucks her downMoving towardsthe lightNew dreams she designs..Crafting wonderful castlesreaching just near only to be blinded...Blind and stuck in a dark hole..Blind and in light..No difference does it makeChange, Dreams..Do they really make a difference?

I am putting this up a little late. But as they say, better late than never. November 3rd is the bday of the biggest darling i know. She is in Chennai right now miles away from where i stay. However, whenever i talk on the phone, no matter how many months later, the distance ceases to exist. I love you Jinny. Miss you a lot baby. Happy birthday. Hope you are where you want to be same time next year. A post dedicated to 1st block and the roads of Pilani we haunted in our cycles...